Amusement device comprising marker holding playing boards and marker dispensing means



3,436,080 BOARDS T. P. SCHULTZ A ril 1, 1969 AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISINGMARKER HOLDING PLAYING AND MARKER DISPENSING MEANS Filed 001.. 12, 1965Sheet 1N VENTOR- flamsfifa/z/zrz ATTORNEYS.

Apnl 1, 1969 T. P. SCHULTZ 3,

AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING MARKER HOLDlNG PLAYING BOARDS AND MARKERDISPENSING MEANS Filed Oct. 12, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 H1 46 v22 M I NVENTORATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING MARKER HOLDINGPLAYING BOARDS AND MARKER DISPENSING MEANS Thomas Peter Schultz, 2404Cardinal Lane, St. Joseph, Mo. 64503 Filed Oct. 12, 1965, Ser. No.495,062 Int. 'Cl. A63f 3/00 US. Cl. 273135 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An amusement apparatus comprising a base member havingdisposed centrally thereof a device for delivering to a remote point onsaid member a series of differently colored and numbered markers, aplurality of spaced playing boards extending radially outwardly fromsaid device, each of said boards having means for holding said markersthereon, and one board also having a counting means thereon, othermembers having counting means thereon carried by said base member onopposite sides of said one board, and a spinner-type chance devicemounted above the marker delivering device. The markers are distributedamong the playing boards in accordance with playing rules, and theseveral counting means are adjusted according to the relative values ofthe markers so distributed. Indicia applied to the several parts of theapparatus are such that the results of its use may arbitrarily beassumed to indicate the health and wealth status of the user, and thespinner is then used to select by chance factors which are arbitrarilydesignated as the causes of any deficiency of such status.

This invention relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to anamusement device involving both skill and chance.

One object of the instant invention is to provide an amusement devicewhich will entertain individuals of all ages either separately orsimultaneously.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an amusementdevice using a plurality of numbered spherical markers.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide anamusement device having a means of randomly dispensing a plurality ofnumbered spherical markers.

A further object of this invention is to provide an amusement devicehaving a delivery chute for delivering to a player a single numberedspherical marker.

A further object of this invention is to provide an amusement devicehaving a delivery chute for delivering a single numbered sphericalmarker to a player in conjunction with a door means for selectivelyprecluding the dispensing of spherical markers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an amusementdevice having a means for randomly distributing a plurality of sphericalmarkers and a means for conveniently returning spherical markers to therandom distribution means.

Other objects and advantages of this invention reside in thecombinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features ofconstruction and utilization, all as will be more fully pointed outhereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there isshown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the board of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the center of the board of FIGURE 1, certainparts being removed for clarity of illustration;

3,436,080 Patented Apr. 1, 1969 FIGURE 3 is a partial cross sectionalview of the board of FIGURE 1, taken along line 3-3 and viewing in thedirection of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is another partial cross sectional view of the board of FIGURE1, taken along line 44 and viewing in the direction of the arrowsshowing the random distribution means and the delivery chute; and

FIGURE 5 is a further partial cross sectional view of the board ofFIGURE 1, taken along line 5--5 thereof and viewing in the direction ofthe arrows, showing the random distribution means and the device forreturning the spherical markers thereto.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like referencecharacters designate like elements throughout the several views thereof,there is indicated generally at .10 a board having a horizontal planarbase 12, which may be of any desired configuration, but which isindicated as pentagonal, and a centrally disposed panel, shown generallyat 14, which may be of any desired configuration, but which is alsoillustrated as pentagonal, secured to the center of base 12. A pluralityof arms 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 extend outwardly from the sides ofpentagonal panel 14 and are preferably slightly downwardly inclinedtherefrom as shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5.

Supporting panel 14 and arms 16, 18, 20 and 22 are a series of verticalsubstantially identical trapezoidal beams 26 secured to base 12 in anyconventional manner, such as by screws 28 or by nails or glue. As shownin FIGURE 3, arms 16, 18, 20, and 22 are fixed to beams 26 by aplurality of screws 30 with panel 14 resting on exposed edges of beams26.

Supporting arm 24 and the remaining edge of pentagonal panel 14 are apair of vertical spaced apart trapezoidal beams 32, 34 which are securedto platform 12in a similar manner and are fixed to arm 24 by a pair ofscrews 36 or the like. As more fully explained hereinafter, the slotformed between beams 32, 34 provides a delivery chute shown generally at38 and including a ramp 40 secured to base 12 as by frictional fasteners42 and whose inner end is substantially aligned with the inner edges oftrapezoidal beams 32, 34.

Positioned interiorly of arms 16, 18, 20; 22, 24 and beneath panel 14 isa distribution means shown generally at 44 which is arranged to delivera plurality of numbered spherical markers 46 into delivery chute 38 in arandomly selected manner. Distribution means 44 includes a bearing 48imbedded in platform 12 and having a conical bearing surface 50 in whichresides a vertical rotatable post 52 having a conical end 54 received inbearing surface 50. Vertical post 52 slidably carries a circular discshown generally at 56 having an upper surface 58 which is inclineddownwardly along a radial line of disc 56 to allow a spherical marker 46to gravitate to the outer periphery of disc 56 for purposes more fullyexplained hereinafter. A vertical apertured collar 60 is secured to thecenter of disc 56 and receives vertical post 52 as may be seen inFIGURES 3 to 5. A limit means shown generally at 62 is secured to theunderside of disc 56 and includes an enlarged circular plate 64providing a slot 66 across a diameter. Limit means 62 also includes arod 68 secured perpendicularly to vertical post 52 and which resides inslot 66 for securing together rotatable post 52 and disc 56. The rod 68also precludes any downward sliding movement of disc 56 upon shaft 52.

Distribution means 44 also includes a circular wall 70 coaxial with disc56 and extending above upper surface 58 thereof as seen in FIGURES 3 to5. Circular wall 70 has a slot 72 between trapezoidal beams 32, 34 toallow for the movement of spherical marker 46 from disc 56 to ramp 40 ofdelivery chute 38 as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. Accordingly, theperipheral edge of disc 56, the lower sur- 3 face of slot 72 and theinner end of ramp 40 are substantially coplanar.

Panel 14 includes a pentagonal base 74 on the upper surface of which islocated a series of indicia 76, the importance of which will beexplained hereinafter. Secured at the approximate center of base 74 is adepending collar 78 having an aperture 80 slidably received on rotatableshaft 52. It should be seen that collar 78 and base 74 provide an upperbearing surface for rotatable post 52 thus keeping it in a substantiallyvertical position at all times.

Secured to the upper end of post 52 is a balanced pointer showngenerally at 82 which, as illustrated, is provided with four arms 84,one of which is distinctively shaped, as may be seen in FIGURE 3, toprovide a means of randomly selecting indicia 76 on base 74- as morefully explained hereinafter. Pointer 82 is provided with a central hub86 from which arms 84 extend. The upper end of post 52 is formed with apair of perpendicular slots 88 which receive the arms 84.

As more fully explained hereinafter, one of the features of theamusement device of the instant invention resides in the selection andutilization of numbered spherical markers 46. Markers 46 are placed ondisc 56 of distribution means 44 and will gravitate to the periphery ofdisc 56 because of downwardly sloping upper surface 58. A person playingthe amusement device of the instant invention may rotate pointer 82 tosequentially deliver a plurality of spherical markers 46 to deliverychute 38. To preclude markers 46 from rolling down ramp 40 and offplatform 12, a stop 90 is positioned between trapezoidal beams 32, 34 asseen in FIGURES 1 and 4.

There are instances when it is desired to preclude the entry ofspherical markers 46 into delivery chute 38, such as when the board isbeing stored. It may also be desirable to close the entrance to thechute 38 when the spherical markers 46 fill the same during play. Inorder to accomplish this result a door means shown generally at 92 isprovided having an L-shaped arm 94 including a suitable handle 96.L-shaped arm 94 is pivotally mounted on arm 24 by a pivot means showngenerally at 98 including a collar 100 seatably receiving a helicalspring 102 on the face thereof and a bolt 104 which is secured to arm 24by a nut 106. L-shaped arm 94 has attached on the short leg thereof avertical door 108 which normally resides at the entrance to deliverychute 38 to preclude the movement of a spherical marker down ramp 40.Trapezoidal beam 32 is cut away on the inner end thereof to form a slot110 into which door 108 may swing when arm 94 is rotated in acounter-clockwise direction about pivot means 98 as may be seen inFIGURE 2.

A delivery means shown generally at 112 provides a conventient devicefor delivering spherical markers 46 into distribution means 44 andincludes a ramp 114 sloping toward the center of base 12 and supportedfrom base 12 by a vertical trapezoidal beam 116. As seen in FIG- URE 5,the inner end of ramp 114 is coplanar with and juxtaposed to the upperedge of circular wall 70. When markers 46 are placed on ramp 114, theywill gravitate into distribution means 44 as seen in FIGURE 5.

Fixed on platform 12 between arms 16 and 24 is a rating board showngenerally at 118 having indicia 120 thereon indicating the wealth statusof the player of the instant game. Rating board 118 includes asubstantially rectangular block 122 extending from trapezoidal beam 26of arm 16 to trapezoidal beam 32 and accordingly defines with said beamsand said base a storage area 124 for the reception of spherical markers46 after'they have been used in the play of the game. Rating board 118is provided with a plurality of identations 126 associated with indicia120 into which a pegged marker may be placed as more fully explainedhereinafter. Rating board 118 also includes a plurality of hemisphericalindentations 128 for purposes more fully explained hereinafter.

A rating board 130 is positioned on base 12 and is provided with indicia132 indicating the health status of the player. Rating board includes arectangular 'block 134 having a series of indentations 136 associatedwith indicia 132. Block 134 is also provided with a series ofhemispherical indentations 138 as more fully explained hereinafter.

A good deal of the play of the instant amusement device is condu-cted onarm 24 which is provided with a plurality of indentations 140 forreceiving spherical markers 46. Arm 24 also includes three separatestrips 142, 144, 146 providing indentations 148 to receive peggedmarkers. Three indentations 150, 152, 154 are also provided to receive aplurality of smaller spherical markers which represent ambition, talentand grace, as more fully explained hereinafter. Another series ofindentations 156 is provided to receive markers which correspond todisability points which is also explained hereinafter.

In the play of the amusement device of the instant invention, aplurality of spherical markers 46 are provided, preferably four seriesnumbered from one to ten, each series being distinctively colored. Threespecial markers, one suitably inscribed to indicate a talent marker andthe remaining two suitably inscribed to indicate disability markers arealso provided, with all markers being placed in distribution means 44.Suitable pegged markers are positioned in the lowermost apertures 148 ofstrips 142, 144, 146.

The first step in the play of the amusement device is to allow aplurality of numbered spherical markers 46 to descend into deliverychute 38, the first marker resting against stop 90. Two markers will "beremoved from chute 38, the first marker indicating the initial healthstatus of the player and the second marker indicating the initial wealthstatus of the player. Assuming for purposes of illustration the firstmarker removed from delivery chute 38 is a 7, a suitable pegged markerwill be positioned in opening 136 associated with the indicia 70 on thehealth board 130. Assuming that the second marker extracted is numbered2, a suitable pegged marker will be positioned in opening 126 of wealthboard 118 associated with indicia 20.

The second step of the amusement device is to extract five numberedmarkers from delivery chute 38 and to position one marker inindentations 140, 174, 176, 178, of arms 24, 16, 18, 20 and 22. What istermed a first health obligation and fulfillment is calculated from thenumerals appearing on markers 46 which are positioned on arms 24, 16,18, 20, 22 as previously mentioned. If the sum of markers 46 on arms 16,18, 20, 22 exceeds the numeral on marker 46 on arm 24 the pegged markerwill be moved upwardly along strip 146 one step for each ten pointsdifference. Assuming for purposes of illustration that the sum ofmarkers 46 on arms 16, 18, 20, 22 is 33 and the numeral on marker 46associated with arm 24 is 6, a difference of 27 is calculated, with thepegged marker being moved upwardly along strip 146 a total of threesteps. Markers 46 may then be removed from the playing arms and placedin storage area 124.

The third step of the instant amusement device is to retrieve fiveadditional spherical markers 46 from delivery chute 38 and position oneon each of playing arms 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 as previously mentioned. Thisstep is entitled a first financial obligation and fulfillment, with thesum of markers 46 on arms 16, 18, 20, 22 being totalled and the numeralof marker 46 on arm 24 being subtracted therefrom. For purposes ofillustration this difference is assumed to be 20 with the pegged markeron strip 142 being moved upwardly a total of two steps. Markers 46 onthe playing arms are then removed and placed in storage area 124.

The fourth step of the instant amusement device is to retrieve threespherical markers from delivery chute 38 and position one on each ofplaying arms 24, 18, 20 in the indentations 140, 176, 178. The fifthstep of the instant amusement device is to retrieve five markers 46 fromdelivery chute 38 and place one on each of playing arms 16, 18, 20, 22,24 as previously indicated. This is entitled a second health obligationand fulfillment with an evaluation being made as previously indicated.For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that the sum of markersplaced on arms 16, 18, 20, 22 during this step is 21 with a markernumbered 4 being positioned on arm 24. Accordingly, the pegged marker onstrip 146 is moved upwardly a total of two steps and resides in opening148 adjacent indicia 2DB as seen in FIGURE 1. Indicia 2DB is a scoringindicia indicating that play is over if the player is disqualified byhaving previously withdrawn from distribution means 44 two delinquent ordisability balls or markers. The delinquent balls or markers may beplaced in indentations 156 for conveniently tabulating the number ofsuch markers received. Since this situation has not occurred in theillustrated game, play will continue. Markers 46 on arms 16, 22 are thenremoved and discarded into storage area 124.

The sixth step of the instant amusement device is to remove anadditional five markers from delivery chute 38. Assuming that deliverychute 38 has no markers therein, pointer 82 may be rotated, which willresult in the positioning of markers 46 adjacent slot 72 of distributionmeans 44 and will result in the delivery of markers 46 to delivery chute38. The five withdrawn markers are placed on each of arms 16, 18, 20,22, 24 with a second financial obligation and fulfillment beingevaluated as previously mentioned. Assuming that the total of markersplaced on arms 16, 18, 20, 22 during this step exceeds the marker placedon arm 24 during this step by 16, the pegged marker associated withstrip 142 will be moved upwardly a total of two steps. Markers 46 onarms 16, 22 are removed and discarded into storage area 124 whilemarkers 46 remain on the arms 18, 20, 24. There are a total of threemarkers 46 on each of the arms 18, 20, 24 at this stage of the play ofthe device.

The seventh step of this amusement device resides in the election todiscard certain ones of the markers 46 placed on the arms 18, 20 duringprevious steps of play in order to enhance ones chances of winning thepoker evaluation of step ten and to increase the rewards in the event ofwinning. In accordance with the rules of the game, an arbitrarilydesignated factor of ambition may be exercised to dsicard one of themarkers 46 from each of the arms 18, 20. A spherical marker is removedfrom indentation 128 of rating board 118, where the marker was placedprior to starting, and placed in indentation 150 of playing arm 24 as aconvenient means of tabulating that the election to discard has beenmade. The player must forfeit ten points by moving the pegged marker upone position on strip 146. The player thereafter removes the markers 46from arms 18, 20 which are aligned with strip 168 and replaces theremoved markers with others drawn from the chute 38. This election maybe made on the basis of normal poker play, e.g., one may discard lownumbered markers in the indentations aligned with the strip 168 ordiscard odd colored markers therefrom in order to obtain a flush.

Continuing the seventh step of play, the player may elect to discardcertain other of the markers 46 from the arms 18, 20 to enhance thechances of winning the evaluation of step ten. In accordance with therules of play, an arbitrarily designated factor of talent may beexercised if the spherical marker having the talent indicia thereon haspreviously been withdrawn from the chute 38. As a convenient means oftabulating that the election has been made, the marker from one of theindentations 128 on rating board 118 is placed in indentation 152 ofplaying arm 24. The player forfeits ten points by moving the peggedmarker up one move on strip 142 of playing arm 24. The player thenremoves marker 46 aligned with the strip 172 on each of playing arms 18,20 and replaces each removed marker with one withdrawn from deliverychute 38. As in the case of the previously mentioned election in theseventh step of play, this election may be made on the basis of normalpoker play.

Continuing the seventh step of play, the player may elect to risk tenpoints from one of the playing strips 142, 146 against the possibilityof doubling the rewards from the evaluation step as scored on either ofrating boards 118, as the player chooses. In accordance with the rulesof the device, an arbitrarily designated factor of grace may beexercised by forfeiting ten points from either of strips 142, 146 bymoving the pegged marker up one position. If this election is made andthe evaluation of step ten results in the markers of arms 18, 20 beingsuperior to the markers on arm 24, the marker associated with the chosenrating board is moved up two spaces rather than one. If the playershould elect to double the effect of this election, he may forfeit tenpoints from each of strips 142, 146 thereby doubling the rewards on bothrating boards 118, 130 in the event of winning the evaluation.

Continuing the seventh step of play, the player may again elect to riskten additional points from either of the playing strips 142, 146 againstthe possibility of increased rewards from the evaluation step as scoredon either of the rating boards 118, 130. In accordance with the rules ofplay, an arbitrarily designated factor of fate may be exercised byforfeiting ten points from either of strips 142, 146 by moving thepegged marker up one position. Since, in the illustrated play, thepegged marker associated with strip 146 is at the top of the strip, themarker associated with rating board 130 must be moved downwardly oneposition to provide additional playing positions, one movement downwardon rating board 130 equaling the entire range of points available onstrip 146. The eighth step of play is to withdraw three sphericalmarkers from delviery chute 38, rotating pointer 82 if chute 38 isempty, and place one of the markers 46 on each of arms 24, 18, 20. Onceagain the elections of step seven may be repeated as previouslyindicated.

The ninth step of play is to remove three additional markers fromdelivery chute 38 and place them on the remaining indentations ofplaying arms 24, 18, 20.

The tenth step of the instant amusement device is to determine ifmarkers 46 associated with playing arms 18, 20 are superior to markers46 associated with playing arm 24. This is done by conventional pokerevaluation of the numerals and distinctive colors of markers 46 on eachof playing arms 18, 20, 24, with the distinctive colors corresponding tothe suits of a conventional card deck. If markers 46 associated withplaying arm 18 are superior to markers 46 associated with playing arm24, the pegged marker associated with health rating board 130 may bemoved upwardly one step. If the factor of grace has been exercisedduring the play of the amusement device, the pegged marker may be movedupwardly an additional step and if the factor of fate has been exercisedduring play, still another upward step is allowed. On the other hand, ifmarkers 46 associated with playing board 24 are superior to markers 46associated with playing arm 18, the pegged marker associated with healthrating board 130 must be moved downwardly one step.

If markers 46 associated with playing arm 20 exceed those of playing arm24, the pegged marker associated with wealth rating board 118 may bemoved upwardly one step. If the factors of grace and fate have beenexercised during play, the pegged marker of wealth rating board 118 maybe moved upwardly accordingly.

The final phase of play of the instant device resides in the utilizationof panel 14 and pointer 82 to select by chance what are arbitrarilydesignated as the reasons for failures of health and wealth.Preliminarily, markers 46 are removed from playing arms 16, 18, 20, 22,24, with remaining markers 46 in distribution means 44 likewise beingremoved. Pointer 82 is spun with distinctive blade 84 being used inconjunction with indicia 76, which represent virtues and the tencommandments, to determine the source of failure of the health andwealth pursuits. For example, if blade 84 stops at indicia 76representing charity, this has been the source of ones failure in play.If blade 84 stops adjacent indicia 76 representing the fifthcommandment, it has been the breach thereof that has resulted infailure. If this latter situation occurs, pointer 82 may be spun againto determine the dominant human temptation as indicated by indicia 76which resulted in the commandment breach. Additional indicia may bepositioned closely about hub 86 for other similar determinations.

The previously described play may be assumed to account for one decadeof a players life, with the play being continuable by moving a peggedmarker from the lowest opening 148 of strip 144 on arm 24 to the nexthigher position and repeating the process.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an amusement device havingall of the objects of this invention and others, including manyadvantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, andsince many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbeforeshown and described, it is to be understood that the foregoing is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising:

a planar horizontal base;

a spherical marker distribution means mounted on said base for randomlyexpelling a series of spherical markers at a predetermined point;

delivery chute means mounted on said base in marker exchanging relationwith said distribution means for delivering said markers singly to alocation on said board remote from said distribution means;

a board, mounted above said base and immediately above said distributionmeans;

a pointer rotatably mounted on said board;

a plurality of indicia circumferentially spaced about the axis of saidpointer;

a plurality of elongate playing arms positioned on said base andextending downwardly and radially from said board, said arms beingspaced from said chute means and having means for holding said sphericalmarkers after said markers have been delivered to said remote location,said holding means comprising a plurality of marker retainingindentations for individually receiving said spherical markers.

2. The structure of claim 1 including at least one board on said baseproviding a series of aligned apertures and numerical indicia associatedwith each of said apertures, said numerical indicia representingincreasing quantities from one end of said series to the other, saidboard being positioned between and juxtaposed to adjacent playing armsto define with said arms and said base a marker storage area.

References 'Cited DELBERT B. LOWE,

US. Cl. X.R.

Primary Examiner.

